Hong Kong to London
12h 23m The flight from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) covers 9,633 km (5,986 miles) and takes approximately 12h 23m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north-west on an initial great-circle bearing of 325°, passing near 52.8° N, 73.4° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 17h 31m | 17h 56m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 21m | 12h 46m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 42m | 11h 07m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 20m | 11h 45m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| HKG | LGW | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Hong Kong International Airport | London Gatwick Airport |
| City | Hong Kong | London |
| Country | Hong Kong | United Kingdom |
| ICAO | VHHH | EGKK |
| Coordinates | 22.3118, 113.9149 | 51.1487, -0.1857 |
| Elevation | 28 ft | 202 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to London?
A non-stop flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to London (LGW) takes about 12h 23m. The great-circle distance is 9,633 km (5,986 miles, 5,202 nautical miles), flying north-west on an initial bearing of 325°.
How far is Hong Kong from London?
9,633 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 5,986 miles or 5,202 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between HKG and LGW?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,633 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 12h 23m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Other routes from Hong Kong
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.